Registration

Blog // Tags // eyewear

Josephson Opticians has recently curated an inspiring assortment of new releases from the workshop of Parisian eyewear designer Francis Klein. Adorned with faux jewels emulating gems of all sorts, these unique hand crafted objects are sure to delight and dazzle!

If bling is your thing, these rare pieces are intentionally conspicuous yet tasteful.

The eccentricity of Francis Klein’s spectacles brought to mind the illustrations of Romain de Tirtoff, the Russian-born French artist known by the pseudonym Erté, who was the greatest influence of the Art Deco design movement.

The decorative application of a Windsor rim upon the eye-wire of a metal frame is by far the strongest trend observed in the contemporary collections available through Josephson Opticians. The revival of this classic 19th century embellishment references the past, but it’s modern relevance should appeal to a new generation of connoisseurs.

A vintage inspired tortoise patterned acetate rim applied to a titanium frame by Robert Marc.

Typically found on round or panto shaped frames, the rim treatment is typically made of acetate, but may be crafted of leather or a fine veneer of wood.

An utterly modern innovation by Bevel– a contrasting coloured titanium insert mounted within a frame.

Like Windsor rim treatments, inserts set within thin metal eye-wires provide otherwise modest frames a similar depth of character.

An example of Harry Lary’s evolution of style towards a refined aesthetic.

An extensive offering of hand crafted frames featuring Windsor rims and eye-wire inserts are currently available at Josephson Opticians’ locations throughout Toronto.

As an alternative to the prevailing trend towards thin and refined eyewear frames, Germany manufacturer Walter Wising & Co. offers new styles distinct in their structure and expression. Established in 1953, the brand facilitates craftsman in a single workshop in Germany in order to produce these uniquely audacious objects.

Hand-made in 8mm thick laminates of matte acetate, models from the 8w collection are conspicuously bold due to their exaggerated depth of form. The thoughtful design of these colourful styles ensures that their functionality and comfort of wear are not compromised by their emphasized volume.

More playful than austere in spirit, these chunky frames are sure to command attention and provoke reactions of wonderment and delight.

New releases from Walter Wising & Co. are available at Josephson Opticians’ Flagship location, as well as our Eglington Avenue, York Mills and Humbertown Center locations.

Recent releases from Gold & Wood Eyepieces are setting a higher industrial standard of craftsmanship and ingenuity. Executing complex and innovative veneers of noble materials including natural horn and rare woods is the specialty of this luxury eyewear manufacturer.

To the reserved ‘wallflower’ seeking greater exposure, or the ‘bell-of-the-ball’ eager to make a grander entrance, Michel Henau’s new collection offers hope! Josephson Optician’s has received a variety of unconventional statement pieces sure to command attention.

The company’s founder and Marc Delagrange were both independent opticians in their native Belgium. Their mutual admiration and artistic approaches to design ensured that they inspired each other.

Since the death of his collaborator, Marc has been designing from the perspective of the frame wearer, ensuring the comfort and functionality of each frame. The simplicity of his shapes are enhanced by the striking use of colour and material.

Bolder styles, such as Odorono, are now available with translucent coloured frame fronts. This feature of the Xtra series offers the classic model more depth and complexity.

We invite you to view an inspiring assortment from the Michel Henau collection at Jospehson Optician’s Flagship location.

When Louis Cartier imagined the first panther décor in 1914, his inspiration was Jeanne Toussaint, or “la panthère”as she was known. His muse was enlightened, refined and sophisticated.

Many Cartier models featuring her namesake feline emblem are available at Josephson Opticians’ locations throughout Toronto. They including a new, sleek aviator shaped sunglass featuring a mirror effect on the lenses flashed with yellow gold. The eyes and 23 spots on each head are lacquered by hand and precious metals adorn the metal décor.

We invite you to view the full range of Cartier’s luxury eyewear at our York Mills. Humbertown and Flagship locations.

Designer Thom Browne is a fashion icon because he fascinates. His collections have transformed classic design with each new season, showing radical new interpretations of traditional forms.

His collaboration with frame manufacturer DITA continues to yield hand- crafted products of uncompromised quality. Browne has remarked that “together, we’ve created an eyewear collection that can stand on it’s own as a design statement”.

Each frame can take up to as many as 8 months of individual steps to create. 250 craftsmen in seven factories tool and assemble customized components which are featured exclusively on Browne’s designs. The most recognizable motif is the red, white and blue temple tip detail- all separate pieces tapped and plated.

For 35 years Robert Marc has stood for creativity, authenticity and craftsmanship. After a period of designing eyewear for Calvin Klein and others, Robert opened his first optical boutique located at 190 Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. Presently his shops seem ubiquitous within the city; four are situated along Madison Avenue, alone.

If Robert’s shops are not actually present on every street of New York’s most fashionable neighborhoods, his designs are certainly worn there. He is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and his influence is now global.

New York City was the inspiration for Robert Marc’s highly anticipated Fall/Winter 2016 collection and Josephson Opticians is pleased to introduce it to Toronto.

Lexington Green

For this commemorative collection, Robert has embellished his trademarked stainless steel hinge with gold and ruthenium finishes to compliment the unique colour-blocked combinations of Italian acetates of each frame.

Empire Blue

For the first time, Robert has introduced accent colours of beige, tortoise and camel to his temples, creating a distinctive Spectator Hinge.

Broadway Red

The individual portions of acetate are seamlessly laminated together along the length of the temple. Such attention to detail is a distinguishing feature of this hand crafted product, constructed in France.

Chelsea Tortoise paired with NYC Black

Six exceptional hue motifs, all inspired by by Robert’s observation of Manhattan, provide depth and glamour to his selection of timeless frame shapes. The colours Empire Blue, Broadway Red, Lexington Green, NYC Black, Chelsea Tortoise and Brownstone all evoke the Big Apple.

Brownstone

This collection also includes the first woman’s ophthalmic frame Robert has produced in black and a round sunglass featuring a unique titanium temple produced in Japan. We further anticipate the arrival of the artisanal custom acetate collection for men.

Please celebrate with us Robert Marc’s New York heritage, reinterpreted and modernized, at all of our JosephsonOpticians locations throughout Toronto.

Should you be mountaineering at high altitudes this winter or merely bracing against the elements in an urban setting, our new assortment of sunglasses providing stylish coverage will serve you well in either setting.

A new assortment of styles from Paris based Studio FB are currently available at Josephson Optician’s Flagship location. These models are a great value and are modestly priced. Produced to compliment the hand-crafted, higher-end eyewear designed by artesian Frederic Beausoleil, this collection offers contemporary styling within the means of the thrifty.

The frames feature a unique, pliable material comprised of acetate and wood fiber, laminated in alternating layers of solid and mottled colours. The interior of the temples nearest their tips are polished to ensure a comfortable fit, while the frame exteriors feature a matte, textured finish emulating wood grain. The earthy colourings of the composite materials are paired with metal components in equally appealing antiqued finishes.

You are invited to view the full range of the Studio FB offerings, as well as Frederic Beausoleil’s eponymous collection, at our Flagship location.